Town of Fraser Ballot Question 2B

“Whether the Town of Fraser should sell Mural Park, located at 320 Eastom Avenue (parcel number 1587-191-019) for $450,000.00, with the intention of using the sale proceeds to acquire a parcel on Clayton Court (parcel number 1587-191-44-002) for $450,000.00 for the use in connection with the Fraser Creative Art Center of for other public purposes as determined by the Fraser Board of Trustees.”

Background on mural lot and art center

Several years ago, the town established the Fraser Center for the Creative Arts with the intention to establish a nonprofit to raise funds, build and run an arts center. The town committed to provide the Eastom Avenue lot (0.36 acres) to promote the future of the arts center. With a recent grant, the town developed the lot into a park and added a concrete pad, lighting, benches and the bronze statue of Jack Kerouac. Since then, the park has been used for the Fraser Mountain Mural Festival, markets and general public use. The park also has about 20 parking spots used by patrons of downtown businesses.

The Town of Fraser also owns a lot on Clayton Court (0.43 acres) that more recently became the focus for the arts center. Byson, the developer of the apartments next to Fraser Valley Distilling, own a lot on Clayton Court (0.27 acres) adjacent to the lot the town owns. Ballot Question 2B would swap the mural lot for the Byson-owned Clayton Court lot. This would give the town two adjacent lots to create a grander vision for the arts center.

Facts as we know them

• The Mural lot (Eastom Avenue) was appraised at $459,000; the Clayton Court lot appraised at $335,000.
• If the swap goes through (if the yes vote wins): The lot will be developed; Fraser Valley residents lose a public park with enormous potential (now that construction is almost complete) in 2024.
• If the swap does not pass (if the no vote wins): The town/Fraser Valley Arts can still accomplish the arts center on the riverwalk lot currently owned by Fraser; Residents and visitors will continue to enjoy the public park; Downtown maintains Mural Park lot parking spots that are critical to local businesses success.

It is becoming apparent that the town is promoting increased density in the downtown and riverwalk areas with the building of 45 and maybe 55-foot housing. This makes the Mural Park all the more important to retain as an oasis of open space in the midst of the density to come.

A no votes does not mean you do not support Fraser Arts; the nonprofit can continue to raise funds and build as large or larger building than initially planned with the larger lot.

We have always and will always support local artists. Our periodic arts events at the Fraser Valley Distilling have allowed artists to use our space at no cost and with no commission.

We will also continue to support the future of the Fraser Art Center. We are excited for the plans for downtown Fraser, including the art center and the Fraser Riverwalk District. We just strongly believe that the future ideas that will take years to accomplish should not be at the expense of a wonderful park and existing entities.